The Patriarch's Summons
***
At JK Mutual Savings Bank, Kang Du-seong was reviewing reports with his usual grave expression. When the phone rang, he picked up the receiver irritably.
"Kang Du-seong speaking."
"Hello. This is Moon Sang-oh."
The shadow and trusted confidant of his father, Chairman Kang Jin-gwang. A call from him meant an order from the chairman had come down. Kang Du-seong set aside the documents in his hand and focused on the conversation.
"The chairman wishes to see you."
"What's this sudden summons without a word of explanation?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
"Can't you at least give me a hint? That's only human decency."
"I'm sorry. I can't say anything at this time. Also, you and the young master must come to Seongbuk-dong this evening."
"Got it. I'll bring Sang-hyuk over."
The "young master" Moon Sang-oh referred to—Kang Du-seong assumed, as always, it was his eldest son, Kang Sang-hyuk.
"It's not President Kang Sang-hyuk, sir."
"Then Father wants to see Ki-hyuk? There's no good reason for that..."
"Not the second young master either."
If not the first or second, only one remained. With a sinking feeling, he asked the butler.
"Don't tell me... it's who I think it is?"
"It's Young Master Min-ho."
Kang Du-seong could hardly believe his ears. And he had good reason. Chairman Kang Jin-gwang deeply disapproved of Min-ho, the family's notorious troublemaker. He'd shaken his head at the endless scandals and even issued an ultimatum to strike him from the family registry. Min-ho was even barred from JK Group events. For the chairman to issue such a completely contradictory order now... When he summoned someone, it meant they were needed—useful for some purpose. No one knew his father better than Du-seong. He sat speechless, as if struck on the head with a hammer.
Letting out a heavy sigh, Du-seong sought confirmation, still in disbelief.
"Say it again. Min-ho?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Even if I asked for a reason, you're not the one to answer... Fine, we'll do it."
Kang Du-seong hung up. No matter how he racked his brain, he couldn't fathom why his father wanted to see Min-ho.
Why would Father summon Min-ho? It can't just be over that gold bar incident...
As his cigarette burned away uselessly, the door burst open noisily, and his younger sister Myeong-seon strode in.
"Oppa, I'm here!"
"Can't you see the staff outside? Barging in like that."
"So what? Is there a law saying the president has to act all stiff? Being cheerful like me is the way to go."
"Don't bother me. Grab a coffee and go."
Her brother seemed even more on edge than usual. Myeong-seon already knew why. She shot him a sidelong glance and dropped a hint.
"Do I look that free to you, oppa?"
"Spit it out if you have something to say."
Kang Du-seong didn't even look at his sister. Myeong-seon grinned broadly and dropped her nuclear bomb.
"You know Hwang Gi-cheon? The guy doing business in Seongsu-dong."
"How could I forget? What about him all of a sudden?"
"Oppa, do you remember the debt amount?"
"Father already gave the order. We're cleaning up those brothers this month. Can't let over 300 million in bad debt slide."
"No need to get blood on your hands."
Du-seong shifted his gaze from the documents to Myeong-seon. Already on edge, her cryptic words didn't sit well. Irritation etched his face.
"Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you know."
"Min-ho collected it all."
"Collected it?"
"Exactly what I said. Min-ho brought in every last won."
"What? What the hell are you talking about?"
Even the great Kang Du-seong couldn't have imagined this. Shocked, he dropped the cigarette from his hand. He stared at Myeong-seon blankly, like a man lost in a daze.
"If you're joking... you're in deep shit."
"When have I ever joked about work?"
"Min-ho handled it? For real?"
"How many times do I have to say it, oppa? Exactly 300 million 1.5 million in principal and interest, clean and clear."
Kang Du-seong exhausted every ounce of imagination, but he couldn't guess how Min-ho had pulled off the collection.
"With his bad leg... from some slum dweller? How?"
"That's why I came to tell you."
Myeong-seon explained every detail of the incident to her brother without omission. Du-seong listened intently, holding his breath. It was unbelievable. Not even similar cases existed, let alone anything like this. He'd dismissed the gold bar from Myeonmok-dong as a fluke, but this was different. He knew coincidences in a row meant inevitability. Now it was crystal clear why Chairman Kang Jin-gwang wanted Min-ho.
Min-ho's perfect transformation. It was exactly what Kang Du-seong desired most. When Min-ho got clocked from behind, he'd tracked down the culprit company and restricted their loans in revenge. He'd even assigned his favorite lawyer, Choi, to credit info to monitor Min-ho's every move. Though he'd disowned him publicly, his attachment to the son who resembled him most wasn't so easily severed. Despite his inner thoughts, he spoke curtly.
"Just luck."
"Oppa! You really think this is all coincidence? Seriously? From what I see, Min-ho's got a natural talent for this business."
"One or two times isn't enough. Don't make a fuss—it's too early."
"Ugh, you're so stubborn. Just say you're impressed."
"Fine, now get out."
"I brought good news and no lunch?"
Staring at Myeong-seon without replying, Du-seong asked casually.
"You spilled all the details to Butler Moon, didn't you?"
"Yeah, Dad told me to."
"Why hold out until now?"
"What difference does it make if you know? Dad ordered it—I had no choice. Anyway, whatever. I'm hungry. Buy me food or I'll go."
"Wait at the restaurant up front. I'll make one call and join you."
"If you're buying, make it fun. Fine, I'll pick the menu—don't complain later."
Myeong-seon shut the door behind her. Kang Du-seong picked up the receiver and called Lawyer Choi.
"Hey, Choi."
"Yes, President."
"Send Min-ho home right now. Take him to the barber, get his hair fixed, then the department store for new clothes."
"May I ask what's going on?"
"Seongbuk-dong by six."
"Understood. I'll prepare without a hitch."
***
JK Credit Info's Collection Team. Other departments' results weren't great. Nothing compared to the monster Min-ho anyway. Thanks to him, the team's mood was like a festival.
Section Chief Seo was so thrilled he couldn't stop talking about Min-ho, neglecting work entirely as he grilled Deputy Oh on the details.
"So Min-ho went up to the slum, came down with just a single liquor bottle? That's the story?"
"Yes, Section Chief. Honestly, I was flustered. Thought he was pranking us."
"I'd have been too. How's a stranger to know that bottle's worth over 400 million?"
"Then straight to auction—he grabbed the paddle."
Pi Dong-ho, who'd been listening quietly, chimed in.
"At the auction, my heart was pounding so hard I thought I'd die."
"Tell us more about the auction, Dong-ho."
"Started at 200,000 won. Then 500,000, a million—it kept climbing, but Min-ho kept signaling to hold the paddle."
"How about that? Hands shaking?"
"Heart racing, but hands steady. Thought I was a goner, Section Chief."
"Each bid was months of our salary—makes sense. Good work, everyone."
"No, sir."
"Speak of the tiger... sounds like ten thousand already."
Min-ho, fresh from his meeting with the president, opened the door. The team swarmed him with questions they were dying to ask. Section Chief Seo beamed brightest—on track for promotion, his grin ear to ear.
"Aigoo, our Min-ho must've suffered under a lousy section chief like me."
"Not at all. Thank you for trusting me."
"Turns out it was auction security."
"Yes. Didn't report to avoid leaks dropping the bid."
"It's fine. When you pulled that resignation, my heart sank. So, how'd the meeting go?"
Min-ho shared the good news with a bright smile.
"First off, Dong-ho and Nam-hoon—1 million each in next month's bonus."
-Whoa, two months' salary!
-Min-ho, you should've taken me!
-Next time, me and you, okay?
Dong-ho and Nam-hoon high-fived, reveling in the unexpected windfall. Min-ho turned to Deputy Oh.
"Congratulations, Deputy Oh."
"Why? What's this? You did it all—I did nothing."
"Nothing? You went up to the slum with me. President promised: 20 million incentive."
Nearly three years' salary. An unimaginable sum for any salaryman. Stunning news, but Deputy Oh covered his face with both hands and burst into tears—not from joy alone. With sick parents and two siblings' tuition, he'd shouldered it all alone. This money meant a bigger home, plenty for school fees. Relief from his burden as family head—that's why he cried.
Min-ho appreciated him inwardly. Constant interference could've derailed the plan. He'd wanted his boss's trust and leeway—Deputy Oh delivered.
President Kang Myeong-seon and Min-ho's negotiation wasn't just for funds; this was part of it too. Deputy Oh hugged Min-ho, tears flowing.
"Thank you... really, thank you, Min-ho."
"No more tuition worries for your siblings."
"You knew?"
"Overheard on the roof a few times."
Snot and tears mixing, Deputy Oh said,
"That's why you kept dodging my lunch offers with excuses?"
"Can't deny it. Treat me next time—for real."
"You're a mystery."
"Mysteries are fun. Congrats."
Good news on good news—perfect. Section Chief Seo surveyed his satisfied team, clapped, and declared,
"Best day since my kids were born. Lunch on me, dinner too. Loosen those belts!"
-Whoa, manna from heaven!
-Section Chief! Section Chief!
As Section Chief Seo's words ended, the door opened—Lawyer Choi entered. Seo greeted him first.
"Lawyer Choi, tough work handling this."
"All thanks to you, Section Chief. Appreciate it."
"Nonsense—our Min-ho's the hero. What brings you here now?"
"Can't disclose details for security. Mind if I borrow Employee Lee Min-ho briefly?"
"Long as you bring him back."
"Might take days. We'll discuss later."
"Got it."
A quick bow, and Lawyer Choi led Min-ho out. Min-ho glanced at his face—tenser than ever, unusually urgent.
"Young master, no time. I'll explain en route."
Pulling him from work mid-day meant something huge—and Min-ho knew what.
"You got the call from Father. Destination: Seongbuk-dong."
"How did you know?"
"It's written on your face, Lawyer. Hurry—barber, then department store."
Now, Min-ho would finally meet JK Group's founder, Chairman Kang Jin-gwang, the man he'd awaited so long. Recalling his next plan in his mind, Min-ho smiled faintly and quickened his pace.